Archive for the 'Instructional' Category

For example, Rainbow will offer a series of “sportskool” fitness videos in high-def which include instructions on skiing from Olympic medal winner Bode Miller; advice on basketball from NBA legend Bill Walton; and tips on tennis from Anna Kournikova.

Rainbow’s high-def offering could be well timed. Cable TV operators, particularly industry leader Comcast, is planning to add more HD programming to their on demand lineups. tvpredictions

Since a lot of the users are just getting back into Tennis or looking to learn, I thought I would let you know about a site called Tennis Tips which helps people learn through video and/or explanation. See the description below:

Tennis Tips - Learn about the game of tennis Tennis Tips. This is the home of high-end tennis. If you are a visual learner then this is the site for you. There are video demonstrations as well as images to show and take you step by step through the process of learning the game. If you are not a visual learner then in that case, you can enjoy the text that also takes you step by step to improving your game. This site is designed to teach you the fundamentals and right techniques of tennis.

This past Friday, I probably had the best hitting session I’ve had in all of 2006. It was interesting because I was playing at the level I normally play on any good day, and then my friend makes a comment:

“I still don’t feel like you hit the way you did 3 years ago….back then, every single ball you hit was hard in a corner without mistakes.”

Well that got me riled up so I started focusing on punishing the ball back at him, and then I discovered something I always forget about, but realize it’s so essential. I started to focus on two things:

1. Hit the ball out in front of me

2. Hold my wrist firm (I can hear some of you saying “what?!”)

I tell you, the difference is phenomenal. I was hitting every ball with so much pace and spin, it always went in. I was astounded.

So here’s what you can take away from this: The next time you get out there and hit, first, just try hitting the ball more in front of you. There will be a natural effect in which you swing earlier, and I think this is where my second point comes in. You will, most likely, hold your wrist firm through the shot. If not, try it. There is a big difference between whipping a forehand and almost locking your wrist while you drive your whole arm through the stroke.

This past Friday, I had my first legitimate match in years. Now I have to preface this with the fact that my friends had hyped up this guy, going on and on about how good he supposedly was. Well I knew I couldn’t listen to people who don’t play really play tennis, but nonetheless, the trash talking and ego smack started coming out. I have to admit, it got to me, because I found myself on Friday nervous as hell. However, in the warm up, I could clearly hit better than this guy, but for whatever reason, my nerves wouldn’t go away.

I wasn’t sure if I was nervous about the outcome of winning or losing, but I certainly wasn’t playing the way I normally do, and it was evident in all parts of my game. However, this got me thinking, what does it mean to really be match ready? A lot of people forget how many “parts there are to their game”. Case in point, I needed a lot of practice in my return of serve, and my net game. Both of which used to be strong points in my game at one point, no longer were they there to help. All they did was contribute to the unforced errors category.

So I ask you, how ready do you think you are for a match:

- How’s your footwork? I found myself not moving well again because of my nerves.

- How’s your return of serve?

- How are your volley’s?

- How are your approach shots?

- How are your backhand overheads?

All of these made me realize that while I can hit really well in general, I was certainly not match ready, especially for the mental side of a “hyped up match”. Interestingly enough, I’m now looking forward to a 2nd attempt at playing this guy because I know that I won’t be nervous and I will have broken through whatever block I put out there last time.

Think about how you feel before and after a match the next time you play…